wind

He is watering the desert with wind energy

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The impulse for clean energy has entered the Spanish field strongly. In many places, the new energy projects collide with neighbors, landscapes and life forms that carry generations there. In the north, there are neighborhood protests For the proliferation of wind turbines that alter the landscape. In agricultural areas of the south, solar panels compete with traditional crops. And meanwhile, in Lanzarote, they have found in the wind a tool for something very different: water. Transforming irrigation. As reported The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food through a press release, have launched an action to modernize the irrigation of 300 hectares in the northeast of Lanzarote, specifically in the municipalities of Tinajo and Teguise. The intervention, which is executed by the Public Company Seiasa, will focus on horticultural crops and will benefit 667 irrigators, although other sources raise this figure to 697, as He has published the province. The total investment amounts to 24.4 million euros, not counting the Canarian indirect general tax (IGIC). The Lanzarote council has contributed a quarter of the budget and has acquired the land where the rafts are located, As he pointed out Diario de Lanzarote. The rest is financed through the recovery, transformation and resilience (PRTR) plan, with European funds Next Generation. Watering with seawater. The work is articulated around an inverse osmosis, currently under construction together with the northeast treatment plant in Lanzarote, in the area of ​​the saint. From there, the water will be driven through a pumping station to two agricultural areas, where it will be stored in a tank of 4,000 cubic meters in the knife and in a raft of 38,000 cubic meters in tincheche, such as Diario de Lanzarote has detailed. The entire infrastructure will have a telemedida and telecontrol system, which will allow automation and optimize the use of water, something crucial in a territory where each drop counts. Part of the energy that feeds the system will come from a wind turbine. It is not the first or the last. The use of wind turbines in Lanzarote to boost irrigation is not an isolated case, but part of a broader trend in the Canarian archipelago: take advantage of their extreme natural conditions to test technological solutions that could be key in the energy and agricultural future. The combination of desalination, clean energy and automation makes these islands live laboratories. In other areas of the archipelago it is also being experienced with innovative solutions. In iron, for example, they have been trying more than a decade Energy self -sufficiency with renewablesalthough they continue to partially depend on diesel. In Gran Canaria, a laptop fed by renewable energy has been installed to demonstrate that Drinking water can be produced without resorting to fossil fuels. In addition, on the islands as a whole It is exploring The use of the strength of waves to generate drinking water, through a system that converts the energy of the waves into electricity that feeds a desalination plant. These experiences, distributed by different islands, are part of the same impulse: try, rehearse, anticipate. An agricultural laboratory. This type of infrastructure suggests more than the improvement of irrigation in a specific area. In a country increasingly affected by drought and The energy increasethe viability of the field will depend largely on how resources as basic as water or energy are managed. In this context, Lanzarote, with its extreme conditions, works almost as an agricultural laboratory. And what is rehearsed there – or not – can mark the way for other agricultural areas that seek sustainable alternatives without giving up producing. The combination of unconventional sources of water and renewable energies does not solve all the dilemmas of the sector, but opens a space to rethink the agricultural model at a time when the current system shows clear signs of exhaustion. Image | Ignacioromeroperera and Unspash Xataka | A perfect storm looms over Spanish olive oil: heat, pests and a problem of productive capacity

In Peru, a company has had an idea to take wind energy directly to your home: turbines as a lay way

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Lego pieces have accompanied generations as a way to create without limits: blocks that are stacked on each other to form houses, cities, rockets, whatever the imagination allows. Over time, the designs became more sophisticated, with complex structures and realistic themes. But in essence, everything is still based on a simple idea: build, piece by piece. Now this idea must be extrapolated to another context as important as the generation of energy. In a world where taking advantage of every centimeter of space is vital – especially in cities – thinking of installing a wind turbine at home may seem crazy, but it is not so far from reality. A new design. A Peruvian startup, Eolic wall, has developed A new way of understanding wind energy, moving away from the traditional model of huge blades anchored in the landscape. Instead, they have created a system of modular, compact and stackable wind cells, with a square shape. Innovation. This technology has an aerodynamic design that allows speeding of the wind that crosses them, which allows to generate more electricity even with moderate breezes. Unlike traditional turbines, Eolic Wall rotor It is sustained by a peripheral ring that improves wind capture and allows a more compact design. Also, thanks to its modular design It can be stacked vertical or horizontally as construction pieces, adapting to the environment and energy demand. You can add more units over time. Willn’t there be such stuck problems from another? A common question is: “Willn’t several be saved from each other?” In traditional wind farms, turbulence between turbines reduce their performance if they are too together. However, Eolic Wall has solved this problem with an internal aerodynamic chamber, which protects the flow of the wind inside each cell. Thus interference is avoided and can be installed in places where it was unthinkable to put a turbine, such as buildings or urban courtyards. A unique peculiarity. The use of permanent strategically located magnets reduces almost zero the friction of the system. This not only improves performance, but also reduces wear and extends the life of the cells. In addition, by eliminating almost all friction thanks to its magnetic system, common maintenance and mechanical wear problems affect conventional wind turbines are faced. When will they be available? Although there is not yet an official mass launch date, Eolic Wall already It has been recognized by Forbes magazine as one of the best startups in Peru in 2024. It is currently developing pilots and Looking for alliances Strategic to climb your technology. Other systems. Eolic Wall is not alone in this tendency towards miniaturization and urbanization of wind energy. There are other interesting proposals, such as LTO TURBINA ARCHIMEDES (LIAM F1)which is committed to a helical design inspired by the Archimedes spiral to capture the wind from any direction. For its part, The turbines flowerknown for its aesthetic design in the form of a flower and its ability to function in proximity without losing efficiency. Self -consumption is no longer just solar. The future of energy self -consumption no longer depends solely on Fill the roofs of solar panels. Wind energy is gaining land in the urban environment, and proposals such as Eolic Wall are marking the way. Because maybe shortly, you can see Small stacked turbines as if they were Lego pieces. And we will not say it figuratively. Image | EOLIC WALL and Mathijs Dubbeldam Attribution-Nancommercial 2.0 Xataka | The University of Oxford has found reservations of an energy source for 170,000 years. And he has the recipe to exploit them

Wind energy were happy to promise their expansion in Colombia. Until he ran into indigenous communities

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La Guajira is one of the departments poorer from Colombia, home of Wayuu indigenous people and a land shaken by some of the strongest winds in the country (there is talk of gusts of 11 m/sa 100 meters high), which has turned the region into a key protagonist of the Government’s commitment to renewable energies. The problem is that these pieces are not easy to fit. As the wind turbines have been raising in La Guajira they have also done it The voices in local communities that warn of their impact and see the green revolution with distrust. There are those who already speak of “The Wind War”. “Only with the energy of La Guajira …” La Guajira, a Caribbean region located northwest of Colombia, It has sun And wind, which makes it a strategic piece for renewables in the country. He made it clear In 2023 President Gustavo Petro, when during the signing of the Pact for the transition Energy said the department has potential for 25 GW. “With the clean energy of La Guajira at its maximum, we could replace Colombia’s electricity generation, including hydroelectric plants,” He stressed. Mill display. He is not the only one who thinks. La Guajira offers a panorama attractive enough so that over recent years it has caught the attention of companies in the sector. In 2019 the Indepaz Institute I calculated that throughout the next decade up to 57 wind projects promoted by 19 companies could be built, many of them linked to multinationals. In summary: tens of thousands of hectares and several thousand self -generators. For now, BBC points out that in the region there are 15 parks under construction that will be added to existing ones, such as Guajira 1with a power of 20 MW. Something more than wind. La Guajira is nevertheless more than a territory in which to lift wind turbines. The Peninsula is also home to Wayuu peoplean indigenous community that has seen how the soil he occupies for generations became the object of desire for energy. With all that that implies. “The situation is complicated since many companies, several of them, began to arrive with the intention of developing renewable projects,” explained A year ago Mikel Berraondo, a lawyer specialized in human rights and indigenous peoples, in an article published in The country. To that factor is added another, just as relevant. According to data from the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) of Colombia, at least in 2022 La Guajira was the second department of the country with a Greater poverty index. His fact only overcame him. The area too stands out In studies on “multidimensional poverty” and according to data collected in 2022 in the middle Portfolio Thousands of homes also lack electrical connection. The wind war. The situation in La Guajira has tensioned so much that there are those who already speak of “The Wind War”. And the reason is not so much wind projects themselves as the way they are being deployed. Critical voices They speak of lack of impact studies and a limited participation of communities in the benefits generated by parks. They also question how traditional authorities that represent the peoples settled in the region for centuries have been consulted, which would have in turn referred to conflicts. “Disturb our dreams”. In An article Prepared two years ago María M. Monsalve explains that the Wayuu have questioned the previous consultations that, theoretically, should ensure that the development of wind projects is not done back to them. The reason: according to critics, there are closed pacts with people who do not hold the property of the land or have decision -making capacity. The equation is complicated by the existence of different authorities in the communities, the debate on how to compensate them or the impact of plants on the culture of the natives. “At night, the noise of the turbines disturbs our dreams. For us they are sacred,” Point to the BBC José L. Iguarán. When he now leaves his house in La Guajira, what he sees is a row of mills. What … and how. “There have been no analysis of the risks and studies of impacts on human rights with the participation of the communities. Nor are they seen resolution and mitigation of adverse impacts. And, judging by the complaints that arrive from the Wayuu communities and organizations, the international standards of rights of indigenous peoples ratified in Colombia are not being respected,” laments Berraondo. “Many communities do not oppose the development of projects if their rights are respected.” The debate, served. The issue is complex because other relevant factors are added to the tensions in the community, such as Energy plans from the country or the contributions of companies to the territory. Despite the noise of turbines or how they affect their traditions, Iguarán admits that in certain aspects its people have also been favored with the arrival of the wind farm Guajira i. The company behind the project has financed better infrastructure for water channeling or traffic and pays several communities a quota that depends on the income generated by electricity and the sale of carbon credits. Enough? “Companies are not respecting the right to participation for the benefit of communities and, on the other hand, offer them social investment plans with trap, since they can only execute such plans with the same companies that propose them,” Berraondo trench. A problem with consequences. Beyond the debate generated in Colombia or its media reach inside and outside the country, the situation in La Guajira is relevant because It is affecting to the sector and complicates the plans of the companies. TO late 2024 EDP ​​Renewables, in charge of the Alpha and Beta parks in La Guajira, decided to leave Colombia. The reason: delays and complications in which several factors influenced, such as COVID, but also the increase in indigenous communities involved in the prior consultation phase. In 2023 And after the effect of “Constant” Protests in the … Read more

In 2021 Texas stayed in the dark for days. Politicians blamed the wind, but the culprit was an old acquaintance

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The story occurred in February 2021when a historic winter storm that affected much of the state of Texas generated the last great electric blackout. Between February 13 and 17, extremely low temperatures and adverse weather conditions caused the disconnection of more than 4.5 million homes and business, some for several days. The event is considered one of the blackouts more serious in history Modern of the United States, so much that politics tried to take advantage of the “guilty.” The mirage of the wind. As we said, in February 2021, Texas lived one of the most serious energy crises in its modern history, when a winter storm paralyzed a good part of the state, causing massive power cuts, dozens of deaths and extreme conditions that affected millions. In the midst of chaos, the governor Greg Abbott appeared on national television (in Sean Hannity program, in Fox News) to directly hold the renewable energies of collapse, and especially wind. In a sharp statement, he said that the ruling showed that the State and the country continued to need fossil fuels to guarantee the winter supply. However, the accusation, repeated by other leaders conservatives and related media, not only It was wrong but deeply interested, because the data showed that the main person in charge of the collapse had been … Natural gas, not the wind. The Texas Network and its fragility. Texas has a unique electrical grid, known as Ercot (Electric Reliability Council of Texas), which operates almost independent of the rest of the national network. This deliberate disconnection, designed to avoid federal regulations, also prevents the State from importing electricity easily in case of emergency. Thus, when temperatures fell dramatically in February 2021, many electric plants (especially those fed with natural gas) They were not prepared To operate in freezing conditions. The pipes froze, the valves failed and gas production collapsed, just at the time of greatest energy demand. Although some wind turbines also froze, their weight on the network was relatively small: about 7 % of the production planned for that time of the year, according to expert calculations. Most cuts came from thermal and nuclear plants that could not operate due to lack of fuel or technical problems derived from extreme cold. Politics in a blackout. Despite this evidence, the narrative that was quickly imposed in conservative sectors was that the ruling had been caused by clean energy. From Fox News to the Wall Street JournalHE They multiplied the voices that ridiculed the renewables, called them “non -reliable” and demanded a return to coal -based energy. An old ideological campaign against environmental policies was reactivated and, in particular, against the Green New Deal promoted by some Democratic legislators. Even false images were shared, such as a photograph of frozen turbines supposedly in Texas that It turned out to be from Swedencaptured years ago during a thaw test. Social networks, media and politicians such as Congresswoman Lauren Bobert or state senator Mike Thompson They spread without contrast Uninformed arguments that placed wind and solar energy as guilty of the blackout, reinforcing a rhetoric that had been downed long before the incident. The response of experts. Numerous researchers and electrical systems specialists They denied the official version repeated by the governor and other leaders. Jesse Jenkins, engineer of the Energy System of Princeton, summarized in a phrase What happened: “All generation sources are being beaten.” Indeed, freezing affected both gas and coal, nuclear and renewable plants. The problem was not a single technology, but the lack of preparation of the infrastructure set in the face of extreme weather conditions. Leah Stokes, political scientist at the University of California in Santa Barbara, The irony stressed to New York Times of the situation: the same fossil fuels that were feeding climate change were those that had failed in an increasingly common weather scenario. From that prism, what did not support the system was not renewable energy, but an obsolete network model, little resilient and possibly more focused on economic efficiency than in climate emergencies. Climate change as a backdrop. Plus: the crisis occurred just when Joe Biden came to the presidency and had signed his First executive orders In climatic matters, reincorporating the United States to the Paris Agreement and canceling the Keystone XL pipeline. Under that context, the Texas blackout became a discursive battlefield between those who asked for more investment in clean energy and resilience, and who defended the continuous and reinforced use of fossil fuels. Biden had made it clear that his vision went through Modernize infrastructure Energy of the country, generate green jobs and reduce emissions towards a zero net target in 2050, but the storm served the opposition sectors as excuse to discredit said agenda. Broken system Far from demonstrating an alleged “uselessness” of wind energy, the Texas blackout In 2021 it was a more warning about the vulnerabilities of an energy system unable to adapt to the 21st century climate. While the authorities blamed the turbines, millions of people froze without heating, hospitals worked with emergency generators, and citizens (such as state deputy Brandon Woodard, in Kansas) they wondered if those interruptions would become A new standard. If you want also, the event left a teaching: reliability does not depend on a type of energy source, but on an integrated, resistant and modernized system that combines technologies, storage, interconnections and preparation against climatic extremes that will be more frequent. In Texas, loading the blame for the wind was a convenient, but dangerous distraction. As almost always, the true enemy were not renewable, but negligence. Image | POT In Xataka | The precedent closest to the great blackout of Spain was lived in 2003. And it also began in the interconnected network In Xataka | Having solar panels at home sounds very good in case of national blackout. The problem is that they do not always work

China is improving both its wind turbines that Germany only finds an explanation: spies

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Espionage is an art that requires adequate ingenuity, strategy and tools. But if we talked about using wind turbines to obtain information, it would seem science fiction. However, reality exceeds fiction, China has been accused of spying on Germany. Short. A group of German experts has detailed In a report that Chinese manufacturers could be using sensors in wind turbines to collect unauthorized data in Germany. In detail. The report, commissioned by the German Ministry of Defense, suggests that Chinese companies They could use sensors of turbines to extract confidential data or turn off the turbines remotely. In addition, they have recommended suspending wind projects that have a Chinese signature, the first being the Waterkant Marine Park. And what does China say? China’s Chamber of Commerce (CCCEU) has described the report as “technically unlikely and lacking a factual basis.” From the Chinese agency they have assured that companies are complying with European regulations. In addition, they have argued that concerns about security, related to data collection or remote control, are a pretext to block Chinese companies in the European market, which could affect loyal competition and international commercial relations. But can the turbines be used to spy? According to the CCCEU and Chinese experts, wind turbines They are not equipped to spy. The sensors are designed to optimize performance, monitor failures and protect wildlife. In addition, the remote control and management systems of wind farms, such as Waterkant, are managed by German and European companies. From the Chinese part they reinforce the idea that these allegations are unfounded and part of an attempt to protect the local market. But in defense. Marine wind projects have been suspended for military security concerns such as It happened in Sweden. The reason is because a wind farm can affect the arrest and monitoring of missiles due to the dimensions of a wind turbine. However, other countries are using them in their favor as the case of Poland, which has installed radar and sound systems among wind turbines. In addition, a similar strategy is addressing Windeurope together with NATO and the European Defense Agency (EDA) with the creation of a new project: Symbiosis. In it they seek to deploy marine renewable energies in the maritime defense space and create synergies to address them. Other accusations of espionage to China. It is not the first time that the Asian giant is accused in the German country, less than a year ago, three suspects They were arrested for stealing military technology. He was also accused of Early Europe With its secret space plane. It should be added, all the material you are designing to improve your espionage skills as Use Starlink signals to detect spy and drones airplanes, or A camera that identifies faces 100 kilometers. Finally, the Asian country It is developing A espionage agency, the Guoanbu, to become the first world power by 2049. The approach is based on economic and technological intelligence, along with cyberspage capabilities. Forecasts. Right now the US tariff replication has left a vacuum In global trade, which China is taking advantage of exporting its exports. For that reason, China wants to continue investing and working with the European Union. Despite this friction, bilateral shops They have reached The 5,591 billion yuan (771 billion dollars) in 2024, reflecting an interannual increase of 1.6 percent. Image | Pixabay Xataka | Finland has a problem with renewables. You will solve it by building a storage megabattery

We have a problem with used wind blades. A German startup believes to have a solution: make them wood

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At some point he had to arrive, because in the end, everything comes to an end, even the materials for renewable energy. First it was the turn of the solar panels, which now have Recycling centers. Then, it was the turn of the wind energy that their blades have found a second life in different structuresfrom mini homes even jelly beans. But so far, no one had achieved what he has achieved in the wind sector: starting from scratch with completely recyclable materials. 100% recycled. The German company Voodin Blade Technology has developed The first wind turbines made of laminated wood. This material has represented a recyclable alternative to the traditional carbon fiber, fiberglass and epoxy resin. In addition, the most curious thing is that it has greater fire resistance and a rigidity-pepper relationship similar to fiberglass, which allows you to resist all climatic conditions. As of 2026, the German company has been associated with the Indian company Senvion for install some blades of more than 50 meters In 4.2 MW turbines. The tests will be held in Europe at the end of next year and beginning of 2027. The goal. The German startup has found a rather big problem within the wind industry. While in the solar sector there are already recycling centers for photovoltaic panels, such as European photovoltaic recycling center (CERFO) In Teruel. I asked that it was around the company was: What about the wind turbines? The investigation took them to A study by the University of Cambridgewhich revealed that by the year 2050 there will be 43 million tons of shovels worldwide. The reason was none other than conventional materials are very difficult to recycle, so they reached the rolled wooden blades. This solution that is based on reuse to prevent them from ending up or are incinerated. In addition, the use of a natural material such as wood has a lower impact on the product life cycle, since it can be replaced and managed more responsible. Manufacturing. The process to get LAMINADA WOOD It goes on presses and laminating, as the name implies, wooden panels, creating resistant and durable materials. This type of wood is already used in the construction of skyscrapers and other important infrastructure, which demonstrates its reliability. Laminated wood offers a greater flexibility In the design, which allows to create longer blades and higher towers, optimizing the efficiency of the turbines by taking advantage of stronger wind currents. This advance not only provides a more ecological alternative, but also makes the production of blades more economical. In addition, in the manufacturing process eliminates the need for molds, which further reduces production costs, and makes the process more efficient and accessible. In fact, wooden blades can be up to 20% cheaper than traditional ones, according to The German company declared to Recharge. Although something if it had been recycled. While some advances have already been achieved in the recycling of traditional blades, the VOODIN BLADE TECHNOLOGY approach goes one step further. Although it should be noted that the Danish company Vestas has developed A chemical process capable of decomposing epoxy resins and then reuse in new blades, preventing them from ending in a landfill. And fire resistance? It is quite curious because they can even be replaced, but resist fire. In the first place, laminated wood can support high temperatures because being a natural material, it has a Greater self -extinguishing capacitywhich means that it is less prone to burn or spread rapidly in case of fire. In addition, advances in their treatment make it more lasting and stable in front of the fire. On the other hand, traditional materials, such as fiberglass and carbon fiber, although strong and light, do not have high fire resistance. In the end these components, together with the necessary resin to unite them, are more susceptible to decomposition and the release of toxic gases when exposed to high temperatures, which can compromise the structural safety of the turbines in a fire. The future of the big shovels, but … The German startup was news last year when installed 19.3 meters blades In Germany. Now seeks to overcome that milestone with blades of more than 50 meters in lengththe largest manufactured to date with laminated wood. However, in the field of wind energy, China continues to lead the race in large infrastructure. Recently, the Asian giant He has managed to install A Qihang wind turbine, with a 151 -meter tower and a 260 -meter diameter rotor. If mathematics does not fail, we would be talking that the length of a shovel is 130 meters, of course it is not laminated wood. And if I get more searching in the newspaper library, the discussion about the size of the wind turbines would give for an article itself. Just point out that at the moment none has surpassed the wind turbine to take advantage of the strength of the typhons with A 310 meter blade diameter. What we know so far is that laminated wooden blades could mark a before and after in wind energy, reducing costs and environmental impact. If the tests confirm its efficiency, this advance will open the way to more sustainable turbines. Image | VOODIN BLADE TECHNOLOGY Xataka | The tariff storm that affects Spain: Trump’s blow to the wind and steel

Trump’s blow to the wind and steel

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On his first day as president, Donald Trump signed an executive act in which he canceled wind projects and announced new oil perforations. Now, Spain has been harmed. Short. The United States International Trade Court (CIT) has imposed a 28.55% tariff for exports from Spanish companies Siemens Gamesa and Windar renewable. The court has ruled that these companies were selling wind towers manufactured in Spain at lower prices of the market value, which constitutes a practice of dumping. The decision was made on January 28, but has been published on February 11 in the Federal Registry. This new rate represents an update with respect to the tariff Antidumping Provisional of 73% established in 2021. The sentence. Four years ago, the Cit discovered that some Spanish companies sold wind towers at prices below the right value in the US. Siemens Gamesa challenged the initial decision that imposed a tariff of 73%, claiming that it was illegal. In a new review, the Commerce Department reduced the margin of Dumping to 28.55%. Finally, the judge confirmed this decision, rejecting the allegations that Siemens Gamesa should not be investigated or that there was an illegal fusion with Windar. He also dismissed the claim that the export price was determined incorrectly. The real impact of the tariff. Although the anti -dumping tariff has alerted more than one, it is expected that it has no impact for the sector, since the export strategy to the US was already influenced by the administration’s protectionist policies. In the case of Siemens Gamesa, the imposition of this rate would not affect him, since He stopped exporting Torres manufactured in Spain to the United States two years ago, after a provisional tariff of 73% in 2021 that made competitiveness unfeasible. In this way, Spanish companies of wind towers have been reoriented towards closer and more stable markets, mainly in Europe. The answer from Spain. The affected companies have not issued an official statement, but they have done so from the political sphere. In the Congress of Deputies, President Pedro Sánchez has expressed Its rejection of the imposition of tariffs by Trump in important sectors such as steel, aluminum and wind towers. In addition, Sánchez has declared that, in case others initiate a commercial war, the country will support the European Union in the defense of its economic interests. More tariffs. In addition to wind towers, Donald Trump’s administration has imposed more rates On steel and aluminum imports, a measure that had already been implemented during its first mandate. As stated by the US president himself, This 25% tax Its objective is to protect national producers, but has generated tensions with allies and increased costs for US manufacturers who depend on these metals. Statements from Europe. The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has issued a statement in which she rejects the Trump policies related to the imposition of tariffs on European exports of steel and aluminum. The president has stressed that these measures are harmful to both companies and consumers. In addition, he has warned that the European Union will take countermeasures to safeguard the economic interests of the block. Image | Unspash and Daniel Torok Xataka | The future of Temu and Shein in the United States has two problems: tariffs and doctrine “of Minimis”

China has turned on a wind turbine so large that among its blades the tallest building in Spain fits. And there are 11 meters left

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Best known by Your high speed trains Able to reach 450 km/h, the Chinese state company CRRC Corporation He just hit the table in a very different industry: that of marine wind turbines. A new scale for offshore wind. CRRC has launched the larger floating wind turbine in the world. Known as Qihang, it has a tower of 151 meters high and a rotor 260 meters in diameter, 11 more than the crystal tower, the tallest building in Spain. Qihang opens a new scale for marine wind energy in which only China competes against China. With 20 MW capacity, it exceeds 16.6 floating wind turbines and 18 MW that Envision Energy and Dongfang Electric deployed, respectively, in 2024. However, it will soon be surpassed by Mingyang Wind Power’s new 22 MW model. Touring like a high -speed train. With a maximum rotation speed similar to that of CRRC trains, the Qihang wind turbine can produce up to 62 GWh of energy per year, enough to supply electricity to 37,000 homes per turbine. Its design is a work of art of modular architecture. It allows multiple power settings, and adapts to different floating platforms and anchors. With materials capable of supporting extreme conditions, including typhoons, it has more than 200 sensors in blades, structures, transmission systems, floats and moorings for comprehensive monitoring. First unit in tests. The first Qihang He left the CRRC factory In Sheyang (Jiangsu province) on October 10. He arrived in Dongying (Shandong province) in December and was transferred to the test site in the port of Guangli using self -propelled modular barges. On January 11, already completely assembled, it began to operate in what will be a period of exhaustive tests and certifications before its definitive to the high seas and its connection to the electricity grid. The country that surpassed Europe at sea. With unstoppable development, China already exceeded the United Kingdom as the country with the highest installation of marine wind energy in the world, and this type of huge floating turbines only reinforce its global leadership. Only Chinese companies are developing turbines with powers greater than 20 MW for the logistics difficulties they entail In regions like Europe. Floating technology can expand the generation of wind energy to deeper and more distant waters from the coast, accelerating the decarbonization of the electric grid without impacting the landscape of the coast. In Xataka | China installed in August the most powerful “wind turbine” capable of resisting typhons. Two blades have just been broken In Xataka | China has connected the world’s largest terrestrial wind turbine. It is so great that it is altering the local microclimate

For the first time, solar and wind are eating gas and coal

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Europe has started the year by reaching a milestone: solar energy is the source that grew the fastest in the EU during 2024, surpassing coal for the first time. The meteoric rise. A recent report from Ember has highlighted that, in the last ten years, solar production has tripled, while wind energy has doubled in the same period, but stagnating in the last year. Analysis results have demonstrated That this growth has pushed fossil fuels to their lowest level in 40 years. Decline of coal. In 2019 the Green Dealofficially declaring a “climate emergency.” From that moment on, the European Commission was required to adapt all its proposals to limit global warming to 1.5ºC. At that time, coal was the third largest source of energy along with gas. Currently, it is in sixth place by 10%. In one statement with ReutersReport analyst Chris Rosslowe noted: “Over the last two years we have seen sharp declines in both coal and gas in the EU energy system and fossil fuels are now at a record low.” This marginality that the analyst speaks of lies in the increase in solar and wind generation by the Twenty-Seven, which has helped avoid imports worth 59 billion euros. Furthermore, as stated in its own report, more than half of the member countries do not have coal-based energy or only have a share of less than 5% in their electricity mix. And what about the gas? Although there was a small rebound in electricity demand, gas generation decreased for the fifth consecutive year. In the last five years, total gas consumption in the EU was reduced by 20%, of which a third corresponds to the electricity sector. This change has been driven by the growth of renewable energies, especially solar and wind, which in 2024 prevented gas consumption for electricity generation from being 11% higher. However, it should be noted that gas consumption has been altered by the War in Ukraine. At the beginning of the conflict, Europe’s energy dependence on Russian gas became visible, which led to a response accelerated to diversify energy supply and reduce vulnerability to geopolitical tensions. Stagnation of wind power. The European Union has predicted that in 2030 wind energy will reach 34% of its electrical mix, but as Rosslowe indicated For Reuters, “more actions” are needed to achieve that goal. The analyst’s statements are based on the fact that this last year wind power has only grown by 7 TWh year-on-year, reaching 477 TWh. These data reflect a decrease with respect to the average of 30 TWh of the last five years, but installation rates are expected to increase in the coming years. For more than four years, the costs of wind energy have been have stagnated due to high inflation and supply chain problems derived from the Covid-19 pandemic and the global energy crisis. In addition, the wind sector has been harmed more than the solar sector due to longer delivery times and higher initial investment requirements. However, the report maintains that wind energy will continue to be competitive compared to gas generation, thanks to future measures taken by the EU. The division in the nuclear. Given the rise of data centers, nuclear energy has become the fetish source of large technology companieswho consider it ideal for its uninterrupted use. Specifically, in Europe, nuclear energy continues to recover from 2022 and is generating 24% of electricity. Here arises one of the major divisions of the EUsince there are member countries that are in favor of continuing to invest in this energy, such as Finland, Slovakia, Hungary and France, the latter opening a new nuclear power plant after 25 years. On the other hand, other countries such as Germany, Belgium and Spain are in the process of gradually reducing or eliminating this energy source. In this last group was Italy, which recently has finalized a bill to return to nuclear energy. This situation glimpses one of the challenges that Europe will have to face in the coming years. The problem with the price. Although the report has presented the European Union’s good construction towards the energy transition, they still have to face the increase in electricity prices. Europe has two challenges ahead: the phenomenon known as “dunkelflaute” and an aging power grid. The first refers to periods of low renewable production due to lack of wind and sun. For its part, the limitations in the networks occur due to their longevity. These problems are combined with a growing demand for energy, which further complicates the situation. Spain and Portugal at the head of Europe. Within the Twenty-seven member states, Spain and Portugal have led the energy transition with 82% of electricity generation coming from renewable sources. Of this percentage, the combination of solar and wind energy reached almost 50%. In particular, Spain recorded a continuous increase in photovoltaic generation, reaching 21% of its electricity almost double the European average (11%). Furthermore, the Iberian country is the second country in Europe with the most solar energy generation, only behind Germany. Forecasts. In a statement collected by Carbon BriefChris Rosslowe said that while the EU’s energy transition has moved faster over the past five years, “we should take nothing for granted.” Furthermore, he adds that the goals achieved should generate “confidence” because they demonstrate the “effort and commitment” for a more sustainable energy future for Europe. Image | Unsplash and Unsplash Xataka | We have known for 25 years that we were going to exceed 1.5 degrees of temperature increase and we have not cared

Firefighters struggle to control large fire north of Los Angeles

by

CASTAIC, California, USA — Firefighters were trying to stay ahead of a huge, fast-moving wildfire that swept through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles and left more than 50,000 people under evacuation orders or warnings. The Hughes Fire began late Wednesday morning and in less than a day had burned nearly 16 square miles (41 square kilometers) of trees and brush near Castaic Lake, a popular recreational area about 40 miles (64 kilometers) away. of the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires that have been burning for three weeks. Although the region was under a red flag warning for critical fire risk, winds were not as strong as when those fires started, allowing firefighting aircraft to drop tens of thousands of gallons of fire retardant on the new fire. By Wednesday night, approximately 14% of the Hughes Fire had been contained. “The situation we are in today is very different from the situation we were in 16 days ago,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said Wednesday night. (John Locher/Associated Press) (Café de Leche / Matthew Schodorf) Red flag warnings were extended until 10 a.m. Friday in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Officials remained concerned that the Palisades and Eaton fires could break their containment lines as firefighters continue to monitor hot spots. More than 31,000 people have been ordered to evacuate from the Hughes Fire, and another 23,000 are under evacuation warnings, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said. No houses or other structures burned were reported. Parts of Interstate 5 near the Hughes Fire that had been closed reopened Wednesday night. County police officers return to their vehicle after observing flames caused by the Hughes Fire along a road in Castaic, Calif.ornia, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Ethan Swope/AP) A 48-kilometer (30-mile) stretch of the main north-south artery had been reserved for emergency vehicles, to move equipment and to prevent accidents due to smoke crossing the highway. Crews on the ground and in water-dropping aircraft attempted to prevent the wind-driven fire from crossing the interstate and heading toward Castaic. Marrone said since the winds were not as strong as they were two weeks ago, aerial crews were able to drop fire retardant on the south side of the fire, where the flames were moving. More than 4,000 firefighters were assigned to the fire, he said. Winds in the area were blowing at 67 kilometers per hour (42 miles per hour) in the afternoon. They had reached 65 mph (105 km/h) in some mountain spots by Wednesday night, according to David Roth, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Kayla Amara drove to the Stonegate neighborhood in Castaic to pick up items from the house of a friend who had run out to pick up her daughter from preschool. While Amara was packing up the car, she learned that the fire had dramatically increased in size and decided to spray the property with a hose. “Other people are also spraying their houses with hoses. I hope there is a house to return to,” Amara said as police cars raced through the streets and flames engulfed trees on a hill in the distance. Amara, a nurse who lives in nearby Valencia, said she has been on edge for weeks as massive fires devastated Southern California. “It’s been stressful with those other fires, but now that this one is close to home it’s just super stressful,” he said. To the south, Los Angeles officials began preparing for possible rain as some residents were allowed to return to the charred areas of Pacific Palisades and Altadena. The windy weather was expected to last through Thursday and rain could begin as early as Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. “Rain is forecast and the threat of mud and debris flows in our fire-affected communities is real,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said during a news conference Wednesday morning. Firefighters spray water on the Hughes Fire in Castaic, California, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Ethan Swope/AP) Fire crews filled sandbags for communities while county workers installed barriers and cleaned drainage pipes and basins. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warned that winds could carry ash and advised Angelenos to visit the city’s website to learn how to protect themselves from toxic air during the latest Santa Ana wind event. Health Director Los Angeles County Public Prosecutor Barbara Ferrer warned that the ash could contain heavy metals, arsenic and other harmful materials. “Even brief exposure can potentially cause skin irritation and lead to more serious problems,” Ferrer said Wednesday, asking people to wear protective gear while cleaning. Low humidity, bone-dry vegetation and high winds came as firefighters continued to battle the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have killed at least 28 people and destroyed more than 14,000 structures since they began Jan. 7. The fence on the Palisades fire reached 70%, and the Eaton fire was at 95%. Luna said Wednesday that his department was still investigating 22 missing person reports from both fire zones. All of the people reported missing are adults, he said. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating the causes of the fires but has not released any findings. Several lawsuits have been filed by people who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire, alleging that Southern California Edison equipment caused the fire. On Tuesday, a judge overseeing one of the lawsuits ordered the utility to produce data from circuits in the area where the fire started.

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